Richland County, located in southeastern Illinois, is rich in many ways, including its history.  Numerous contributions to Illinois and our nation have been made by Richland County, which was officially formed in 1841 – plus the county seat of Olney, the surrounding small towns and villages, and the area’s important agricultural community.

Over the years, the county and its largest city have been associated with several official and unofficial titles.  Among them: The U.S. Center of Population in the 1950 census; “the trading, industrial, educational and medical center of southeastern Illinois;” the home of the Robert Ridgway Memorial Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, commonly known as Bird Haven; and for the past 100 years the city has been known widely as “The Home of the White Squirrels.”

But, it is the citizens of the area that have turned the geography into a special place, built by Americans with a strong work ethic and quick to accept responsibility.  Theirs is a heritage worthy of recognition and preservation.

Browse our site.  Then make plans to visit our four museum facilities in Olney – the Heritage House, the Carnegie Museum, the McsBurg School, and the Carriage House – to learn about our area's past lifestyle. Discover the important military, educational, medical, agricultural, industrial and petroleum history of Richland County.